2017 Spring KCET Cinema Series Schedule
The much anticipated KCET Cinema Series opens its spring series at the ArcLight Cinemas in Sherman Oaks on Tuesday, February 21. The popular film series offers film enthusiasts an opportunity to see the best of Hollywood, independent and top award-winning festival films prior to their theatrical release in Los Angeles. The series is hosted by nationally recognized film expert Pete Hammond, and each screening is followed by a lively Q & A with the film's top talent and filmmakers.
Film screenings are held on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm and all seats are reserved. The dates for the spring series are February 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, and April 18, 2017.
If you would still like to attend the Spring Cinema Series, prorated series passes are available at the ArcLight Cinemas on Tuesdays prior to the screening. Limited walk-up admissions are available on the night of each screening for $25 per person. You may also call 747-201-5402, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., to reserve an advanced pass to the screening.
All films and guests are subject to change.
Spring Film Schedule:
February 21: My Life As a Zucchini
Q&A: Producer Michael Merkt
February 28: The Last Word
Q&A: Actor Shirley MacLaine and actor Amanda Seyfried
March 7: The Ottoman Lieutenant
Q&A: Producer Stephen Brown
March 14: Wilson
Q&A: Co-stars Laura Dern, Judy Greer, Cheryl Hines, Isabella Amara and director Craig Johnson
March 21: Going In Style
Q&A: Writer Ted Melfi and producer Donald De Line
March 28: Dean
Q&A: Actor, writer, director, producer Demetri Martin
April 4: Norman
Q&A: Actor Richard Gere and director Joseph Cedar
April 18: Born In China
Q&A: Producer Roy Conli
February 21 : My Life As a Zucchini
A beautiful animated feature-length film that was adapted from Gilles Paris' 2002 adult fiction novel Autobiographie d'une Courgette, the film has been nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at this year’s Academy Awards®. It tells the heartfelt story of a troubled 9-year-old boy who shares the account of his life-changing circumstances in an orphanage after the death of his beloved mother.
Q&A immediately following with producer Michael Merkt.
February 28: The Last Word
Presentation of the KCET Lumière Award to Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine is Harriet Lauler, a once successful businesswoman in tight control of every aspect of her life. As she reflects upon her accomplishments, she is suddenly inspired to engage a young local writer, Anne Sherman (Amanda Seyfried), to pen her life’s story. When the initial result doesn’t meet her unrealistic expectations, she sets out to reshape the way she is remembered. The film directed by Mark Pellington, from a screenplay by Stuart Ross fink, premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
Q&A immediately following with star Shirley MacLaine and co-star Amanda Seyfried
The Lumière Award presented by the KCET Cinema Series, recognizes excellence, artistry and innovation by an actor or filmmaker for their outstanding contribution to television or motion pictures. The Lumière Award pays homage to brothers Auguste and Louis Lumiére, who were the first filmmakers in history dating back to 1894. Previous recipients of the KCET Cinema Series Lumière Award include Kevin Costner, Dame Judi Dench, Gary Oldman and Sir Ian McKellen.
March 7: The Ottoman Lieutenant
A Turkish-American World War I drama and love story shot on location in Praque, Czech Republic, and Cappodoccia and Istanbul, Turkey. The film’s score was composed by Emmy Award-winning composer Geoff Zanelli and directed by Joseph Rubin (The Stepfather, Sleeping With the Enemy, The Good Son).
Q&A immediately following with producer Stephen Brown
March 14: Wilson
The film is based on the graphic novel by Daniel Clowes who also penned the screenplay. It is the story of a phobic and dejected middle-age man who reunites with his estranged wife and meets his teenage daughter for the first time. The film stars Woody Harrelson, Laura Dern, Isabella Amara, Judy Greer, and Cheryl Hines.
Q&A immediately following with co-stars Laura Dern, Judy Greer, Cheryl Hines, Isabella Amara and director Craig Johnson
March 21: Going In Style
Oscar winners Morgan Freeman, Michael Cain, and Alan Arkin are long-time friends who decide to fly in the face of retirement when their pension fund suddenly becomes a corporate causality, so they soon make plans to rob the very bank that absconded with their money. This lively comedy is directed by actor and comedian Zac Braff (Scrubs).
Q&A immediately following with writer Ted Melfi and producer Donald De Line
March 28: Dean
From first-time director comedian Demetri Martin (His Comedy Central Show and The Daily Show), the film won the Jury Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival. It’s a heartfelt story of the relationship between a father and son and the reality of coping with the death of the wife and mother. Demetri stars together with Kevin Kline in this comedic tale.
Q&A immediately following with star, writer, director, producer Demetri Martin
April 4: Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New Yorker
A film by Academy Award® nominated director Joseph Cedar (FOOTNOTE) is a comic and compassionate drama of a little man whose downfall is rooted in a human frailty all too easy to forgive—a need to matter. Norman Oppenheimer (Richard Gere) lives a lonely life in the margins of New York City power and money, a would-be operator dreaming up financial schemes that never come to fruition. As he has nothing real to offer, Norman strives to be everyone’s friend, but his incessant networking leads him nowhere.
Q&A guests will be star Richard Gere and director Joseph Cedar
April 18: Born In China
The film is Disney’s ongoing quest to bring the natural world to the big screen as never before, presents its most ambitious project to date, taking moviegoers on a grand journey into the wilds of China. “Born In China” follows the adventures of three animal families — the majestic panda, the savvy golden monkey and the elusive snow leopard. Featuring stunning imagery, the film navigates the vast terrain—from the frigid mountains to the heart of the bamboo forest—on the wings of a red-crowned crane, showcasing remarkably intimate family moments captured on film for the first time ever. The film is narrated by actor John Krasinski.
Q&A immediately following with producer Roy Conli
